Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Lyrica anyone?

Well my friends, it looks like no more Lyrica for me anymore...
I can hardly shake off my sleep/fatigue...I felt like putting up toothpicks to keep my peepers open this morning. To make it worse...I was sleepwalking early this morning at about 5 am! Scary actually as I have no idea why I would open my mom's bedroom door and stand there and stare at her.

To make matters even worse...I ran a red light on my way to pick up Gianna's friend. I felt like my response time was off even though I thought I was ok. I didnt take any meds at all today. The last med was the Lyrica yesterday at about 7 pm. I was so freaked out because I had my kiddo with me. Thank God no cars were moving just yet. It felt as if I were moving in slow motion.

I looked up side effects on this stuff and they were scary! Weight gain and swollen hands is all my rheumy mentioned. Art said no more Lyrica period.

Anyhow..thought i would share...
one scared little bug

Thank you Gerri...
You know hugs are welcome on the dark cloudy days of AS pain.
I had a long chat with my mom this evening and we decided along with my hubby that NO more Lyrica. My mom was frightened at what it did to me in 3 short days. I dont like the feeling i had at all. Sleepwalking and babbling and feeling disoriented are not things that need to be added to my cup of tea!

Come Tuesday I will either have my rheumy agree or disagree with me. I can only HOPE that he will support me. If he dismisses me well then I know where I stand with him. I need a rheumy that supports me. He's been good so far.

How are you holding up my lovely friend?
I think of you ...write when you are up to it...
your pal buggy

I am on Lyrica and hate it. It causes brain fog and weight gain. The good part of it though, is that it does work to take the pain away, but the side effects are worse then the pain itself. I'm trying to get off of it soon.

Sam

Hi Sam!
How long have you been on it? What are you taking it for if you dont mind me asking? My doc said it would help for nerve pain and fibro/mysofascial pain. I HATED it too. I only took it for 3 days and it was terrible. I was sleepwalking. Brain fog that I never have experienced. I also couldnt wake up. There could have been an explosion in my home and I would have slept through it! I couldnt believe that a med could cause such ugly side effects in so little time.

Do you need to taper off of it Sam? I agree that the side effects are worse. I searched on the internet and it would seep that we are not alone...I read dozens and dozens of posts of folks sleep walking, terrible brain fog, disoriented, confusion. One patient who took it for 2 weeks was instituitionalized. The poster said it was her sister and she had no mental problems prior and the docs zeroed it down to the Lyrica.

I hope you can slowly get off it very soon Sam....best wishes and thank you for your input..it confirms what I was feeling.... I hope you are doing okay Sam...I think of you....your pal buggy